Apparatus for



A ril 9, 1929. J. M. M CLATCHlE 1,708,482 APPARATUS FOR FILLING CANS ANDTHE LIKE Fil ed Nov. 6, 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 w 2 i Q s Zia/7mm? 11vVENTOR A TTORNE April 9, 1929.

J. M. M CLATCHIE APPARATUS FOR FILLING CANS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov- 19259 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENT OR April 1929. J. M. MCCLATCHIE 1,708,482

APPARATUS FOR FILLING CANS AND THE LIKE Filed 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN TOR A TTOR E Y April 9, 1929- J. M. MCCLATCHIE 1,708,482

APPARATUS FOR FILLING CANS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 6, 1925 9Sheets-Sheet 4 vJ19 L,

INVENTOR ATT RNEY April 9, 1929.

J. M. M CLATCHIE APPARATUS FOR FILLING CANS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 6,1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 40 m III 8 I l 2 I l r 3.2 r7 W I T as '1.

8/ 78 :IIP 58 ll|| 7b 82 82 a fifi /7. [/a7/1/c INVENTOR ATTORNEYAPPARATUS FOR FILLING CANS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 6, 1925 9 heets-Sheet6 l4 2/ 24 I l "r 38 I 4o I ,2,8

z/m /7. Mam/6 INVENTOR I A TTORNE Y April 9, 1929. J. M. M CLATCHIE1,708,482

APPARATUS FOR FILLING CANS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. e, 1925 9Sheets-Sheet 7 a l llnnlnmnnul r :In!

J07? f7 f7 0472/1/1 IN VENT OR A TTORNE Y 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENT OR IIIllllIl BY Q/QZ' Q ATTORNEY Filed Nov. 192

J. M. M CLATCHIE APPARATUS FOR FILLING CANS AND THE LIKE April 9, 1929.

I I I I I /20 I 7 April 1929- J. M. MQCLATCHIE 1,708,482

APPARATUS FOR FILLiNG CANS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 91 N VENTO A BY @ZM/Q/ A TTORNE Y Patented Apr. 9, 192.9.

' UNITED STATES I PATENT O FFECE.

JOHN M. McoLa'rcHIE, or New YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORV iro'rHE'FB RDENCOMPANY, OF-

1 NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

APPARATUS FOR FILLING cans AN-D Tm; 1

Application filed November The invention relates to an improvement inapparatus for filling'cans and the like,

and more particularly to an improvement in apparatus for automaticallyfilling cans with predetermined amounts of condensed and evaporatedmilk, or other fluid or s'emi 1 fluid substances. i

' The general object of the-invention is to to simplify the constructionand arrange ment of the parts of the 'filling apparatus so as to reducethe size of the apparatus and at the same time increase its capacity,efiiciency and durability. The-reduction of the size of the apparatusand the simplification of the parts thereof incidentally lessen the costof production, which is an important fea ture of the present invention.A further object of the invention is to produce a can filling apparatushaving provision whereby air spaces are eliminated from the cans du r--ingthe filling operation, sothat all the cans or other containers arecompletely and uniformly filled. These objects are accomplished in theimproved apparatus for filling cans and the like hereinafter fullydescribed and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The preferred form of the invention is illustrated in the accom anyingdrawings, in which Fig. 1 is a si e elevation of the improved apparatusfor filling cans and the like; Fig. 2 is a front end elevation, on anenlarged scale. of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. with certain partsshown in section and other parts broken away; Fig. 3 is a view similarto Fig. 2. showing the apparatus in rear elevation; Fig. 4 is a section,on a still further enlarged scale. of the front end of the canfillingmechanism, taken alon the line l4 of Fig. 6; Fig. 5 is atransverse section through one of the units of the can fillingmechanism. and showing the parts in position for filling the right handrow of cans; Fig. 6 is a view similar to 5, the section being taken onthe line 66 of Fig. 4 and showing the parts 6,1925. Serial No. 67,260.:

in the act of filling the left hand row of cans;Fig. 7 isa detaili'nside'elevation of apart ofthe rear end of the apparatus,with certainfparts shown in section; Fig 8 is 'a side elevation ofone of the chamberunits ofthe filling mechanism; Fig. 9 is' a plan of a portion of the cansupporting-table and the parts connected'therewith; Fig. 10 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 9, with the movable parts 'in zditferent position; .Fig.11 is a diagrammatic elevation of the means for actuating the canfilling mechanism, which is shown in front end elevation; and Fig. 12 isa detail of the'adjustable crank of the means for actuating the canfilling mechanism. w l

-The improved apparatus for filling cans and the like illustrated anddescribed herein is particularly adapted for filling tin cans witheither condensed or "evaporated milk. The invention is notito berestricted to this use, however, since it is also adapted :for use inintroducing a predetermined quantity of any kind 'of fluid orsemi-fluidsubstance into any kindof container. Accordingly it will "beflunder'stood that '!the terms" can or' cans, and milk,' are used as terms ofdescriptionandnot of limitation and that they are generic of any kind ofcontainer and fluid or The improvedapparatus for filling cans asillustrated-in the drawings comprises a can"filling mechanism by'whichthe milk is accurately measured and introduced into the cans, meansfor-placing the empty cans in position to be filled and for moving thefilled cans into position to be removed from the apparatus, and meansfor agitating the cans during the fillingoperation toeliminate airspaces therefrom,'so that all the cans will be completely and uniformlyfilled.

The, can filling. mechanism comprises an elongated cylindrical casing orshell-15 provided on its outer lateral sides with the fins 1.6 bywhichit is supportedon the upper ends of the uprights-or standards 17 risingfrom the floor of the room'in which the apparatus is located. The frontand rear ends of the cylindrical casing 15 are closed by the covers 18and 19 respectively, which are secured to the flanged parts 140 f thecasing by the cap screws 13.

Rotatably supported within the'casing 15- is a series of fillingunits,"each' of which constitutes a double acting pump which is arranged.to ,recei-venr take in .2. predeter-.

mincd .quentityoi milk and to introduce it into a can. Each filling unitcomprises an arcr elongated sector-shaped chamber end-e seetoi shepedpiston 21 mounted to oscillate in the chn'riibe'r20'. File-chamber 20 isformed in a cupisliaped member 23 consisting of a disk'or plate22"integr'a'l at its periphery with a .-ring or cylinder 24 rotatablymounted in the casing 15. The openJend. ofeech cup-likeniember 23 inwhich the chamber 20 is formed is closed by the outer sur face of thedisk 22 of the next succeeding-filling unit, as clearly indicated inFig. .4, The tree edge of each ringer cylinder 24 is-proyided with anannular ;re-. cess 25 which fits snugly over'a cylinder projection26 onthe-outersurface-of disk 22 of .the succeeding member. 2 The disks 22 ofthe cup shupedimembers23 are provided with central aligned holes 27 bywhich the members 23 are loosely supported on ashaft 28 extendingthroughout :the llength. -o;t the casing 15'and supponted :atwec'h endin the annular flanges 29 extending outwardly from the end covers 18 and19.

Each chamber 20., is-=thus formed on -one side by :the inner surface ofis disk 22, on the other side by the outer surface of the disk 22 of thenext succeeding-[member 23,

at itscenter iby the shecft28 and around its outer edge by the ringercylinder .24. Ex-- tending into each @ohamber 20 from the ring orcylinder 24 of each member 23 is 'a sectorshaped block 30, the'iinner.edge of .which loosely-bears against theashait-28. .llhesides 32 and 33of the block formatheitwo :ends' of :the (lhflllllbfil' 20. -In'rthesector-shaped block .30 .are stwo openings or conduits 34 and 35 whichlead from the ends 32 end 33, respectively, of 'thechamber '20 to-theouter surface :of the periphery of the ring or cylinder 24, and throughwhich :the milk is fed into and discharged iii-om the chamber. All thecup-shaped members :23 are alike in construction except the first mmwhich -ul)uis against -t-hc.f-ront,-cover 18. ilhis'first-cupshapedmember is ;provi ded with :a forwardly extending annular :flimge 37uv-hioh is loosely embraced by the annular hinge 29 of the front plate1=8."'l[he whole series of cupshaped members :23'nre held trig-idlytogether by the longitudinally extcndingrods 88 rcceived in equallyspaced aligned holes in the peripheries of the rings or cylinders '24.

The chambers 20 'of the filling units, formed as described above,constitute fluid tight enclosures .-in which the sectoi' shxupcd pistons21 .are arranged to oscillate. The pistons 21 are of-euch size in crosssection that they completely fill (with only enough clearance formovement) the cross section :of the chambers 20. -A0oord-ingly when thepistons move in either direction they force the milk :from that part ofthe chamber into which they uromoi ing, and create a vacuum in thatpartof the chamber from which they are moving so that it may be filledwith a fresh supply of milk.

Each sector-shaped piston 21 is secured by means of a pin 40 to theshaft 28. Oscillator movements are imparted to the shaft 28 by means ofan arm 41 secured to the end of theshzift 28 extending forwardly beyondthe front end of the corer 18. The outer end of the arm 41 is pivotallyconnectcd by means of a link 42 with the outer end of the arm 43 of abell-crank lever journnlcd at 44 in the upper end of anupright orstandard 4-5. The other arm 46 of the he'll-crank lever is connected bymeans of a crank arm 4-7 with a crank disk 49 jour-' naled at 50 in thestandard 51. Power is supplied to drive the crank disk 49 from a belt52. The outer end of the crank arm 47 is ndjustnbly connected with thecrank disk 49 :by means of a bolt 54 which passes through a radial slot55 in the crank disk. By loosening the nut 56 of the bolt 54 theposition of the bolt in the slot 55 may be adjustcch thereby rcguiatingthe amount of oscillatory movement imparted to the arm 41 and shaft 28,and so to the pistons 21 mounted on the shaft 28. This shortening andlengthening of the :oscillatory movement of-the pistons 21 controls theamount of milk delivered -by :the pistons at each actuation thereof.

The :niilk is fed into the chambers 20 through a series of inlet ports58 in the -undersidc or bottom of the casing 15 and located insubstantially the vertical plane of the axis of the shaft 28. lr'hen thepistons 21 are 'nwvliiig in u clockwise direction ion (-viewing Figs.213ml 5) the milk is discharged from the chumbers 20 through a seriesofoutlet ports 59 located in the bottom of the casing 15 to the right ofthe inle P ts 58; and when the '..-i' .;li.-: 2!. HIC'. moving in 2'.counicr-t'locku'isc direction (so:-

t3) the milk is discha ged from tho chambers 20 through a: r-Ll'itfi ofoutlet port-s 60 located in the bot tom of tin: casing 15 to the leftliuud of thc inlet ports 58. The outlet ports 59 and (it) are spacedanhstui tiully cool-distant from :ihc inict porn 58.

ll'lien the pistons 21 are moving in a clockwise dirrciion. the conduits23,. located in the rods oi the chambers 2" toward which the pistons aremoving, arc conncctw! with the outlet ports :39. At the szuuc time the.conduits 35 locutcd in the ends of thc chumbcrs-Qtl from which thcpistons arc zrovimr. are connected with the inlet ports 58. Converseljv,when the pistons: 21 are moving it. acountcr-ciockwisc direction thecozuluits 35 are connected with the outlet ports 60, whereas theconduits are connected with the inlet ports 58. The means foroscillating the cu'psha ped members 23, to shift the position'f'of-theconduits 34 and3-5. wit-h'respect-to theinletxan'd outlet ports in timedrelation with the-j oscillating movements of the pistons. 21; comprisesa sector-shaped plate.:62-.provided with ahub portion':63

which is secured to the front end of the an-' a plate" 62:.(viewing;:=Fig..2Q isia Lforwardly projecting lug 65 in WlliChi'iS'threaded a stop screw 166 and on the left hand dateral i edge of the:plate: 62 is a I forwardly projecting lug 67-in whichtis threadeda'stop' screw: 68. Projecting radiallyfrom the hub of'the arm 41(aud onthe side opposite-the armr41) is =a lug or dog 70 which is adapted toengage with the :stop screw'fiS toward the end of the clockwiseoscillation of the arm' 41 and the pistonsf21,:andto 'engage with thestop s crew'tlfitoward the-end of the counterclockwise oscillation ofthe-arm 41*and the pistons 21. -VVhen the dog 70 engages either with thestop screw 68 orthe" stop screw66 it moves the plate 62and thewup-Shapedmembers" 23 asynchronously -with .-the pistons 21. When the pistons 21,-moving in a clock-- wise direction, have reached or nearly reached theright hand end walls 32 of the chambers 20 the dog- 70 --engages with:the

stop screw 68, the members 23 are thereby oscillated to shift theconduits 34.- fron con n'ection with the outlet port's 59 'to cennection with the inlet'ports '8; and synchronously therewith, the conduits35 'are shifted from connection with the -inlet ports 58 to connectionwith the; outlet ports, 60. Conversely, when the pistons 21, moving in acmmter-clockwise directiom' reach or nearly reach the end walls of thechambers the engagement of the dog 70 with the stop screw 66 causes themembers 2 to be oscillated to shift the conduits 35 from connection'withthe'outletports to'co'nnection with the inletports 58; and sv'nclu'onously therewith, the conduits 34 are shifted from connectionwith the inlet ports 58 to connection with the-outlet ports 59.

By regulating the positions of the stop screws 66 and 68. the time ofengagement.

therewith by the dog 70 is advanced or retardcd; By advancing the timeof engage ment of the dog 70 with the screws 66 and 68, by turning the"screws in aclockwise direction in theirsupporting lugs, the cup members23 are caused to move synchronouslywith the pistons 21 preportionatelsooner. Thus the space to he left between the ends of the chambers 20and the advancing sideef the'pistons21 is widened so that less'milk isdischarged. On the other hand,

When-the engagement of the :lug-70'with the screws 66 and.68 is"retarded, by turning the .screws-lin acounter-clock-wise direction in"their supporti-ng lugs, the synchronous movement of the 'members withthe pistons 21 is proportionately. retarded, and. the space to be. leftbetween the ends of the chambers 20 and? the advancing sides of thepiston 21 is lessened,'so thata-greater quantity of -milk is" dischargedfrom the-chain bersf It is thus seen thatrthelquantitylof milkdischarged at each oscillation in one direction o-f'ithe pistons2lisxroughly regulated by shifting the;.-position.of theJ -bolt thataccurate-regulation :th ereof isiefiected by turning-the stop screws66*and 68 in the:

cover 18. The reaniend iof thesconduiti72 is,

connected'by means ofrapipeF74 with a con- Venient source of inilk whichforces the milk into the conduit. 7 2 runder' 'pressure. Although the;vacuum .1 created? in the lends .of. the chambers: 20 Ifromi which thepist0ns'21' are moving:iisisutlicient draw. the milk into the" chambers,'it'-'is considered desirable to assist-the action 'of the vacuum'abyforcing the .milk? into the conduit' 72 under pressure. VVhen thcconduits 345arid 'have been moved fintoxalinem'e'nt :with the "ports 59and 58 'respectively,' they. are prevented from movementbeyond thisposition ina counter: clockwise direction by= the engagement of the lug69 projecting rearwardly from the rear face of the plate 62"with a stop71 projecting forwardly from the front face of the plate 18. =Andwhen'itheconduits 35 and 34' have beenmo-ved into alinement with theports and 58,"respectively, they are pevented from movement beyondthisposition in' a clockwise direction by the engagement of the lug 69 witha stop projectin; forwardly from the front face of the plate 18. Thestops 71 and 75 are spaced substantially equi-distant from the verticalplane passing through the axis of the shaft 38, and the lug 69 is spacedsubstantially equi-distant from the screws 66 and 68. It is necessary.to provide the steps 71 and 75 in these positions because the pressureexerted by the incoming-milk against the piston 21 and against thesegment 30 is greater than the pressure-exerted against the segment 30by the piston 21 through the milk being discharged from the chamber 20.A six foot head of milk gives substantially four pounds pressure persquare inch on the Ill) piston 21. his pressure is also exerted againstthe segment 30, holding the cups 23 against eitherthe stop 71 or thestop and maintaining the conduits 34- and 35 in alinement with theirrespective ports. Then the conduits 84 and 35 are in alinement withtheir discharge ports 59 and 60, the milk tends to flow down out of thechambeis 20 by gravity. Hence it will be understood that the pressureexerted on the segments 30 by the pistons 21 through the dischargingmilk tending to move the cups in the directicn oftravel of the pistons21 is less than the pressure exerted against the segments 30 by theincoming milk holding the cups 23against eitherthe stop 71 or thestop'75. Thus-when the-lug 69 has been moved into engagement with eitherthe stop 71 or .the stop 75 at the end of the oscillatory movement ofthe cups 23 bringing the conduits 34 and 35 into alinement with thecorresponding inlet and discharge ports, the cups remain in thisposition until the. nextoscillater. movement of .the arm 41 in theopposite rection.

The outlet ports-59 discharge into a conduit 76 connected \viththe lowerside .of the casing 15 and extending throughout the length thereof. inthe "underside of the condhlt 76 is a series of discharge openings ornozzles 77..- In like :manneri'the outlet openings '60diseharge'int-0 aconduit 78 extending "throughout the length of the casing 15 and in theunderside of whichis a series of outlet openings or nozzles 79.Rotatably mounted in the -;conduit 76 is an elongated valve member 80,and rotatably mounted in the conduit .78 is a similar elongated valvemember 81. The valve members 80 and 81 are .provided with the:transverse passageways '82 which .are adapted, when the valvemember-s80 and 81 are properly positioned, to connect the outlet ports59 and -60 with the discharge openings or nozzles 77 and 79. The rearends of the conduits 7G and 78 are closed by covers 83 which areintegral with the rear rover 19 of the casing 15.

The valve. members 80 and 81 extend forwardly beyond the forward ends ofthe conduits 76 and 7S, and on the forx'rurd extremities thereof aremounted the segmental gears 85 and 86. respectively. which are arrangedto mesh with the segmental gear section 84 formed on the arc-shapedlower edge of the plate ('12. The connection between the valve members80 and 81 and the cup-shaped members .23 is such that as the latter areoscillated to shiftthe position of the conduits 34 and 35 with respectto the outlet ports 59 and 60 and the inlet ports 58, the valve :members80 and 81 are synchronously rotated. WVhen the members 23 are moved ina. clockwise direction to disconnect the conduits 8&1 from the outlets59 and connect them with the inlets 58.nnd to disconnect the conduits 35from the inlets 68 and to connect them with the outlets '60, the valvemember 80 is turned to break the connection between the outlets 59 andtheir nozzles 77, whereas the valve member 81 is turned 'to establish aconnection between the outlets 60 and their nozzles 79. Reverse actionof the parts takes place when the .euprmembers 23 are moved in .acounter-clockwise tion.

The problem of introducing such sub stances as condensed and evaporatedmilk into tin cans without any drip is solved in the apparatus of the.pnesentjnvention' by interposing the valve memhers'80 and 81 in thedischarge openingsfrom the "chambers 20. By moving :the passageway-s 82:in. the valve members 80 and 81 out of :alinement with the outlets 59and 60 and their nozzles when the conduits 34 and 35 are disconnectedfrom the outlets 59 and 60, the milk remain in; in the outlets 59 and 60and in the-passageways 82 is prevented from dripping out through thenozzles i7 and 79. Consequently only the very small quantity of milk inthe passageways of the nozzles 77 and 79 can fall toward the cans when'the conduits 34: and. 35 are disconnected. .from the outlet ports 59and 60. As a result of this construction. when the discharge of milkthrough the outlet ports-59,.zind160 is .cut

off, the milk passing from the nozzles 77;

and 79 lessens to a distinct point which is received within the openingsin :the cans and after that there is .absolutely no drip from thenozzles.

During the filling operation the cans to be filled are held in positionhnderthe noz- 2.10577 and 79 by cylindrical supports which are locateddirectly under their respective nozzles. Each support 87 is providedwith a vertically nizranged pin 90 journaled in the platform 92extending throughout the length of the apparatus and secured atintervals alone its lateral edges to the standards 17. The beveled upperpart 93 of each can support projects upwardly beyond the upper surface94 of the platform 92, and the cylindrical part of each can support isreceived in a .ongitudinal groove 95'extendin; throughout the length ofthe platform. This construction is such that when the can are moved intoposition over the supports 87 the edges of the cans will ride up overthe beveled portion of the supports. According to the present practiceobtaining in the manufacture of tin cans the bottom ends thereof aredepressed and are provided with a beveled edge. The size of the beveledupper ends of the supports 87 is such that the cans are centeredinposition thereon with the central holes 97 in the tops of the cansdirectly under the openings in the nozzles 77 and 79. The cans to befilled are fed onto th direc-i whole laterally onto the right hand orleft hand'row of supports 87 and are then filled with milk.

, The means for shifting the row of cans from the receiving middle part96 of the platform onto the supports 87 comprises a longitudinallyextending bar 101 mounted on a series of uprights 102 slidingly sup-.ported at their lower ends on cross bars 103 secured at their outerends in lugs 10 1 depending from the underside of the middle portion 96of the .platform.' The middle portion 90 of the platform is providedwith laterally extending slots 108 in which the uprights 102 travel. Thebar 101 is moved laterally in both directions by means of a verticallyarranged arm 108 located at the rear of the apparatus and to which therear end of the bar is secured. The lower end of the arm 108 is providedwith a laterallyelongated slotted base 107 which loosely engages and issupported by the pins 110. projecting rearwardly from the platform 92.The upper end 109 of the arm 108 is formed as a U, the upwardlyprojecting arms of which are adapted to be engaged by a roller 112mounted on the outer end of an arm 113 projecting radially from a collar114 secured to the rearwardly projecting part of the shaft 28. Themiddleportion 115 of the arm 108 is offset so as to clear the pipe 74,

Assuming that the apparatus has been set up for operation and that nocans have as yet been fed into it: A predetermined number of cans arefed from the hopper or chute 100 along the length of the receivingsection 9d of (he platform 92. \Vhen the row of cans on the receivingpart of the platform have come to rest, the oseillzilhim of the shall-:28 causes the roller 112 to enter the U -lllijl(il portion 109 of thearm 10S and more the bar 101 laterally to push the cans from ilicreceiving part of the platform onto one of the rows of supports 87.immediaielr the bar 101 comes to rest another batch of cans is fed ontothe receiving part of the platform from the hopper or chute 100. Thenwhile the filling mechanism is operating to lill the row of canspositioned on the llL Si series of supports 87 the bar 101 is actuatedto push the cans just deposited on the platform onto the other row ofsupports 8?. As the bar 101 comes to rest at the end of this stroke athird batch of cans is delivered from the chute 100 onto the receivingpart of the platform.

The apparatus is now filled to its capacity with cans. On the firstseries of supports 87 is a row :of filled cans, the filling having beenaccomplished while the bar 101 was pushing the second row of cans fromthe receiving part of the platform onto the other series of supports 87.On the.second series of supports 87 isa row ofempty cans, and on thereceiving part of the platform is a row of cans which havejust been fedinto the apparatus; On the next lateral movement of the bar 101 (whichis now in its original position), the row of "cans being pushed onto thefirst series of supports 87 displace the row of filled cans, and movethem onto either of the two conveyor belts 117 supported on thelongitudinal margins of the platform 92, The conveyor belts 117, ofwhich-only portions are indicated in the drawings, may be of the usualendless belt type driven from any convenient source of. power. Theconstruction of the U -shap'ed part 109 of the arm 108 and itsarrangement relatively tothe oscillation of the roller 112 are such thatat the end of each lateral -movement of the bar-101the roller 112 isdisengaged from the 'U -shaped'part 109 of the arm 108 long enough topermit the fresh supply of cans to be fed onto the receiving part of theplatform. This will be clearly understood without further explanation bya consideration of Fig. 3. The cans pushed from the receiving part ofthe platform onto the supports -87 are guided onto the supports 87 bymeansof the short guide pieces 118 rising from theplatform at the innerlateral edges of the recesses 95.

In order to eliminate'air-pockets from the cans during 'the fillingoperation a rotary motion is imparted to the cans by which the milkbeiiig introduced into the cans is caused to pile up on the interior ofthe side walls of the cans under the action of centrifugal force, This'causes a depression in the center of the massof milk beingintroduced into the cans. Consequently when the milk reaches the top ofthe cans the air therein has been forced toward the central opening inthe lop or cover of the cans so that as the last of the stream of milkenters the cans it occupies the central depression in the mass of milkin the cans and thereby completely fills the cans, leaving no air spacewhatever therein. By reason of this mode of operation it is possible toemploy cans made exactly to size, thereby effecting a considerablesaving in material, since formerly in order to get the requisitequantity of milk into the cans it was necessary to make the cans alittle oversize.

A Each can support 87 is rotated by means of a gear 120 mounted on thelower end of the-pin 90 on the upper end of which the can support ismounted. Each series of gears 120 is in mesh with an elongated rack 121loosely mounted in a longitudinal groove in the platform 92, as clearlyindicated in Fig; :.2-,;1,.Be'eipcecetory. movements are imparted to themelts-1215M rotate the can supports fiT-inoned reetion endothen in,th'ecther by means-of a rack 122 supported ot-the-reer end of theapparatus from. the lower side of-ith'ebase 10? Zofthe arm 108.Interposed between each rearmost gear 1-24 -,ofi;th e two seriesofgearslm and. the rack are: two. idier'gee'rs 125 which; communi- ;.cutereciprocatouy movements fromthe rack 11122 through :the gears 124:- ;tothe racks 121. it is: thus soon that while the arm 108-. and the'par ts.connected with itorebeing moved laterally/by -the-.-osci-llations oftheerm 11-3 ,the can supports;873are rotatedv t The .mocle of operfrtion,ofzithp various ,pe'rts-ofithe improved pparatus or fillmg cans has,been; (describe in; connection; with the. dose-rip tion of. the.construction ;thereof. 3 The; mode. 20E operation of the mpparebus'. as..a whole is described rasfollewsz-elt is ussujmedfthatthei apparatushas been in opferationj-for somo -ti me. -Beferning to; Figs. 3,9 and 10itWill-beunderstoodfihat when the-bar 101 has; completed a'lateral movement i'n one direction, for example, toward placingthe'rows'of cans13..0in position-on the left hand series of supports 87 and displacing:theref'romthe row of cans which have justbeenfilled, the roller 112 onthe end of the. arm- 113 pessesoutiof the il shaped por'tion 109ofthearm 108, thereby permitting the bar 101.130. remain stationary momentarily. The continuous. traiiel of the left hand conveyorbelt; 11?carried away the filled cans "immediately they were deposited thereon;.The. momentary dwellof the bar'101xis siifiicienttopermit afresh supplyofemptfy cans 131 to be run onto the receiving part 96, of the platform92 from the hopper or chute 100.; Thereu-po'n'the return oscillation ofthe arm 113 will again bring the roller 112 in engagement with the U-shaped part 109 of the arm 108 to carry the bar 101 toward the right,and with it the row of cans 131 to position them on the right handseries of supports 87, at the same time displacing the row of filledcans 132 and discharging them onto the right hand con- \'e or belt 117.

lurning nowto Figs. 2, 5 and G it will be understood that while the bar101 is moying to the left, viewing Fig. 2, (to the right viewing Fig.3.) the pistons 21 are turning in a clockwise direction (as shown inFig. 5-), to fill the row of cans 130 with. milk; and conversely, thatwhen the bar 101 moves toward the right (to the left viewing 3) thepistons 21 are turning in a, counter-clockwise direction (as shown inFig; 6),, to fill the row of c'afns 132,. As the pistons reach the endof their oscillation in the clockwise directi'om'the (10,70 encountersthe stop screw 68 to turn t-iemembers 238ml thereby disconnect theconduits 34 from their outlet ports 59 and connect them with the inletports '58, at the same time disconnecting the conduits 35 from the inletports 58 and connecting them with their outlet ports 60.

Conversely, as the pistons reach the end of their oscillation in thecount r-clockwise ;ing the conduits 34 from the inlet ports 58 :andconnecting-them with their outlet ports 59, iVhen the niembeis 23 oreturned to s 11ft theposiirons'of the conduits 34 and 35,

as. just described, the'valve members and 81 are turned either toconnect the outlet pohtswith their discharge openings or to ;disconnectthem therefrom. While the pistons are moving in either direction todischarge the milk from that part of the chambers '20 into which theyare advancing, a fresh supply of milk is fed into that part of thechambers from which the pistons are .moving.

the left, viewing Figs. ,3, and 10, thereby While the cans are beingfillet the lateml actuation of the mm 108 by the oscillation of the -arm113 causes the racks 122 and 121 "to be reciprocated, whereby a rotarymotion is imparted to the cans on the supports 87.

The result-is that as the milk descends into the cans the centrifugalforce imparted to it by the rotating cans causes it to build up on theinterior walls of the cans and reach the outer part of the under surfaceof the tops -of the cans before it reaches the central part of the undersurface of the tops of the cans. Thus the air pocket in the depressedcentral portion of'the mill; is forced out through the central openingsin the tops of the cans as the last part of the streams of milk descendinto the cans. As a result all the cans are uniformly fill-ed up to the(op cover and air spaces are thus (tmnploiely eliminated from the cans.

Having thus described the invention what I claim new is 1. An apparatusfor filling cans and the like comprising, a cylindrical casing", 21series of filling units located in the casing, each filling unitconsisting of a cup-shaped member rotatably mounted in the casing, asector-shaped piston rotatably mounted in the chamber formed in thecup-shaped member, and a sector-shaped block projecting from the rim ofthe cup-shaped member toward the center thereof, the sides of said blockforming the ends of said chamber, a shaft extending through the seriesof filling uni-ts an inlet port in the casing means for moving thecup-shaped member to connect one conduit with its outlet port and theother conduit with the inlet port and vice versa, means for moving thepiston toward the conduit connected with its outlet port, means forintroducing fluid into the chamber through the conduit connected withthe inlet port, and means for positioning the cans to be filled underthe outlet ports. v

2. An apparatus for filling cans and the like comprising, a cylindricalcasing, a shaft extending axially throughout the centerof the casing, aseries of filling units located in the casing, each filling unitconsisting ofa cup-shaped member rotatably mounted in the casing and ofwhich the disk is loosely mounted on the shaft, a sector-shaped pistonmounted in the chamber formed by the cupilikecomprising, a cylindricalcasing, a shaft extending axially through the center of the ,casmg, aseries of filling units mounted in shaped member and secured to theshaft, and a sector-shaped block extending from, the rim ofthecup-shaped member and loosely engaging the shaft at its inner end,the sides of the block forming the ends of the chainber, each'end of thechamber being provided with a conduit extending through the block, twoseries of outlet ports 'in the casing .providing' one outlet port foreach conduit, a series of inlet ports in thecasing providing one inletport for each pair-of conduits, means for actuating the shaft, stopsconnected with the cup-shaped members adapted to beengaged byalugconnected with the pistons,:a lug connected iwith the pistons adapted toengage the stops whereby, when -the pistonsi approach, the ends vof thechambers,lthe cup-shapedlmembers are moved to shift the positions of theconduits with respect to their outlet portsand the inlet ports, andmeansfor positioning the cansto be filled under the outletports- 3. Anapparatus for filling cans and the like comprising, a cylindricalcasing, a shaft extondingaxially throughout the length of the casing, aseries of filling units located in the casing, each filling unitconsisting of a cup-shaped member rotatably mounted in the casing and ofwhich the disk is loosely mounted on theshaft, a sector-shaped pistonrotatably mounted in the chamber formed by the cup-shaped member andsecured to the shaft, a sector-shaped block extending from the rim ofthe cup-shaped member to the shaft, the sides of the block forming theends of the chamber, each end of the chamber having a conduit passingthrough the block, two series of outlet ports in the casing providing anoutlet port for each conduit, a series of inlet ports in the casingproviding an inlet port for each pair of conduits, a. conduit connectedwith each series of outlet ports and having a series of dischargeopenings in the underside thereof, a valve member provided withpassageways located in each outlet conduit, a conduit connected with theseries of inlet ports through which fluid is fed into, the chamber,means for actuatingthe shaft, stops connected with the cupshaped membersadaptedto be engaged by a lug connected with the pistons when the latterapproach the ends of the chambers, .a lug connected with the pistonsadapted to connections between the cup-shaped members and thevalvemembers whereby the passageways therein are alternately connectedwiththeir respectiveoutlet ports and disconnected therefrom, and means forpositionmg the cans to be filledunder the dis- ,charge openings in theoutlet conduits.

4; An'apparatus for filling cans and the the-casing, each filling unitconsisting of a cup-shaped member, the disk of which is loosely mountedon the shaft, the open face of each'cup-shaped member abutting againstthe outer side of the disk of the next succeeding cup-shaped member, asector-shaped piston movably mounted in the chamber formed in thecup-shaped'member and secured to the shaft, a sector-shaped block pro--jecting from the rim of the cup-shaped member to the shaft, the sides ofthe block constituting the ends of the-chamber, a conduit leading fromeach end of the chamber through the block, two series of outlet ports.in' the, lower side ofthe casing providing an outlet port for eachconduit, a series of inlet ports'm the lower side of the casingproviding an inlet port of each pair of conduits,

a discharge nozzle-for each outlet port and spaced apart therefrom, twovalve members,

each of which has a plurality of passageways adapted to connect theoutlet ports with their discharge nozzles, means for actuating theshaft, means connected with the cup-shaped members arranged to beengaged by means connected with the shaft when the pistons approach theend of their travel in either direction to shift the position of theconduits relatively to the outlet ports and the inlet port, meansconnecting the chambers with the valve members so that the latter willbe moved simultaneously with the chambers to connect the passageways inone valve member with their outlet ports and discharge nozzles anddisconnect the passageways of the other valve member from their outletports and discharge nozzles. and means for positioning the cans to befilled under the discharge nozzles.

5. An apparatus for filling cans and the like comprising, an elongatedcasing having two series of discharge nozzles spaced apart and extendingalong the underside thereof can filling means including a shaft locatedoudinaily extending bar actuated by the can in the casing foralternately discharging fluid through the two series of dischargenozzles, a platform extending under the easing and ha-vin'gits middleportion adapted to receive a supply of cans to be' fillled, and meansactuated by the shaft for removing the cans on the receiving part of theplat- 'under 'one row 0 'nozzles ,-and when itmoves in the otherdirection-to displace tl'iecans from the receiving part of the platlotmand position them under tlleot-her row'of nozzles, and conveyors ontowhich the filled cans are pushed by the cans being placed under thenozzles; I

7, An apparatus fior filling oans and the like comprising, a having onthe undensidethereoi two rows of discharge nozzles, can filling meansmounted in the casing totdischarging luid through the rows-of nozzlesalternately; two rows of can supports-heated under the nozzles andcorresponding that" arme'eeiving plzitforrn between the rows 0;cansupports. a longifillingme -s and man'ged t-0 m'ove laterally overthe receiving platform to remove the 43.11715 die'refrom place them onthe supports, and conveyors onto which the filled cans are pushed by'thecans being placed on the saipports.

8. An apparatus for filling cans and the like comprising, an elongatedcylindrical casing having on its underside two spaced rows of dischargenozzles, a shaft extendin;: axially throughout the center of the casing,a series of can filling units mounted in the casing and arranged to-beactuatedby the shaft, each filling unit being arranged to dischargefluid through each pair of dis- OlMllge nozzles alternately, means forsupplying the filling units with 'fluid,-a1:*'latonn extending under thecasing andhaving its 'xniddle section adapted 'to nece-ive "insuccessive rows the cans to be filled, two rows of can supports locatedunder the two rows of disa'ted itrom the shaft and arranged to movelaterallyin both directions over the receiving part of the platform todisplace the I 'cans t'he'reirmn and position them on the supports.

f9. An apparatus for filling owns and the like comprising, an elongazeil cylindrical casing, a shaft extending and y throughout the center ofthe casin means for oscillating the shaft, a series 0 can filling unitslocated in the rising and operatively connected with the shalt, saidcasing being pro 'vided on its underside with two spaced rows ofdischarge nozzles through which the filling units discharge fluidalternately, means for supplying the filling units with fluid, aplatfionmextending under the casing, the middle section-oi the platformserving:v to receive successive rows ofcans to be filled, -=a row ofmeat-able can supports under each row of discharge nozzles, herextending long-it-ndinally'of the casing and am anged ho move laterallyin both directions over the i'eceiv-ing part of the platform,meanswhereby the "bar is intennittently actuated from the shaft todisplace the cans from the receivi'ng part of hhe platfonm and positiondeem on the supports, and connections between the can supports and theshaft where "by the can-supports are not-ated during the fillingoperation.

1 0. An apparatus for filling cans and the like comprising, an elongatedcylindrical casing having on its underside two spaced rows-off outletports and a new of inlet ports between the two rows of outlet ports andspacedequal distances therefrom, a shaft extending axially throughout.the center of the casing, a series of can 'filling units lo cated in thecasing, each filling unit consista ou p shaped-member the disk of whichis-looselyz'no-unted'on the shaft, each cup-shaped memberforming withthe outer 'side of the disk of the next succeeding cups'hajaed member achamber, a SECtOP-SllFUPGd 'hloclt extending to-in the rim of eachcupshaped niembei' to the shaft, the radial sides of the b'loelt formingthe ends of the chamher, sector-shaped piston located in each chamberand arranged to travel from one "end of the-chamber to the other and inthe conduit corresponding to an outlet port, "means for acfinwtmg theshaft, means connected with the cup-shaped members adapted "to heengaged by means connected with the pistons whereby, when the pistonsapa'oa-ch the ends of the chambers the ow shaped members are moved toshift the positions oftlie conduits relatively to the outlet ports andthe 'inlct ports, an inlet condu-i't extending along the "bottom of thecasi'ng'and into which the inlet ports open, a outlet conduit extendingalong each side-0f the bottom of the casing and into which the fitoutlet ports open, a row of discharge nozzles in the bottom of eachoutlet conduit, each discharge nozzle corresponding to an outlet port, avalve member located in each outlet conduit and having passagewayscorresponding to the outlet ports, comiections between the eup-slnipedmembers and the valves whereby the valves are actuated to connect theoutlet ports with their discharge nozzles and to disconnect themtherefrom, a platform extending under the casing and having a middleportion adapted to receive rows of cans to be filled, a bar extendinglongitudinally of the casing and arranged to move transversely in bothdirections over the receiving part oi the platform, a row of rotatablecan supports under each row of discharge nozzles, connections betweenthe bar and the shaft whereby the bar is intermittently actuated todisplace the rows of cans from the receiving part of the platform andposition them on the supports, and connections between the rotatable cansupports and the shaft whereby the can supports are rotated during thefilling operation.

ll. An apparatus tor filling cans comprising, a cylindrical arisinghavin an inlet port and two outlet ports, a shaft passing axiallythrough the casing, a cylindrical chamber movably mounted in the casingand loosely engaging the shaft, a sectorshaped block fixed in the.chamber, the radial sides of the block constituting the ends of thechamber, said chamber being provided at each end with av conduit whichpasses through the block to the periphery of the chamber, each of saidconduits being adapted to register with an outlet port and with theinlet port, a sector-shaped piston movably mounted in the chamber andfixed at its inner end on the shaft, means for oscillating the shaft,two stops connected with the chamber, and a lug connected with thepiston adapted to engage the stops to move the chamber in the directionof travel of the piston to shift the position of the conduits relativelyto the ports.

12. An apparatus for filling cans comprising, a cylindrical casinghaving an inlet port and an outlet port, a shaft passing axially throughthe casing, a cylindrical chamber movably mounted in the casing andloosely engaging the shaft, a block projecting into the chamber from theperiphery thereof to form end walls for the chamber, said block beingprovided with a conduit passing from the interior of the chamber to theperiphery thereof and adapted to register with the ports, a pistonmovably mounted in the chamber and fixed to the shaft, means foroscillating the shaft, and cooperating means connected with the shaftand with the chamber to cause the chamber to move in the same directionof travel as the piston to shift the position of the conduit relativelyto the ports.

13. An apparatus for filling cans comprising, a casing provided with aninlet port and two outlet ports, a chamber movably mounted in the casingand having at each end a conduit adapted to register with an outlet portand with the inlet port; alternately, a piston located in the chamber,means for actuating the piston, two stops connected with the chamber,and a lug connected with the piston adapted to engage one stop when thepiston travels in one direction to move the chamber to shift the conduitat the end of the chamber toward which the piston is moving fromregistry with its outlet port into registry with the inlet port, andadapted to engage the other stop when the piston travels in the oppositedirection to move the chamber to shift the conduit at the end of thechamber toward which the piston is moving from registry with its outletport into registry with the inlet port.

11. An apparatus for filling cans co1npris ing, a casing provided withan inlet port and an outlet port, a chamber movably mounted in thecasing and having at one end a conduit adapted to register with theinlet port and with the outlet port, a piston located in the chamber,means for actuating the piston to discharge the contents of the chamberwhen the conduit registers with the outlet port, and cooperating meansconnected with the piston and with the chamber to cause the chamber totravel in the same direction as the piston to disconnect the conduitfrom the outlet port and move it into registry with the inlet port.

15. An apparatus for filling cans and the like comprising, a casinghaving an inlet port and an outlet port, a chamber movably mounted inthe casing and having a conduit adapted to register with the inlet portto admit fluid into the chamber and with the outlet port to dischargefluid from the chamber, a piston located in the chamber, means foractuating the piston, and cooperating means connected with the pistonand with the chamber whereby when the piston is traveling toward theoutlet port the chamber is moved to shift the conduit from registry withthe outlet port into registry with the inlet port.

JOHN M. MOCLATCHIE.

